It's vaguely reminiscent of The Power of Kroll (1979: [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_of_Kroll]The Power of Kroll - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame])...
This is a a duck decoy, a device used to capture wild ducks or other species of wildfowl. In former times the birds were used for food. Today, if the device is used, the birds are ringed and released. The decoy is actually longer than can be seen and tapers off at the end.
There are two methods of working a duck decoy, dogging or feeding.
Dogging
Ducks are naturally curious and when they see a predator, such as a fox, they will keep it at a distance, but tend to follow it. The decoyman uses a dog, preferably a breed similar in appearance to a fox, to lure the ducks along the pipes. The dog appears between a gap in the screens and the ducks approach. It then appears at the next gap further along the pipe, and so on until the ducks are trapped at the end of the pipe.
Feeding
The decoyman walks behind the screens, throwing grain or other food over them while keeping out of sight. The ducks follow, eating the food, and are caught at the end of the pipe.
